Asparaginyl-tRNA aminoacylation levels and asparagine synthetase expression in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to I L Andrulis.
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The biochemical and physical properties of asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase from wild type Chinese hamster ovary cells and a temperature sensitive mutant strain (lys 65a) are compared. The asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase in the mutant strain exhibits a greater temperature lability in vitro, a higher temperature-independent Km for asparagine, and a lower temperature-dependent catalytic capacity than the enzyme from the wild type strain. The mutant enzyme shows no differences in its molecular weight, its Km for tRNAAsn, or its ability to aminoacylate tRNAAsn isoacceptor species compared to the wild type enzyme. These observations, as well as the growth properties of the mutant cells as a function of temperature and exogenous asparagine concentrations, are consistent with their decreased ability to aminoacylate tRNAAsn in vivo.
The expression of asparagine synthetase activity [L-aspartate:ammonia ligase (AMP-forming), EC 6.3.1.1] in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells is regulated by asparagine. After transfer of CHO cells from an asparagine-supplemented medium to a medium lacking asparagine, activity increases 1.5- to 2-fold. If asparagine is added back to the medium, activity returns to control levels. To test the possible involvement of Asn-tRNAAsn in regulating the levels of asparagine synthetase, we have examined the levels of asparagine synthetase in a mutant of CHO cells containing a temperature-sensitive asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase [L-asparagine:tRNA ligase (AMP-forming), EC 6.1.1.22]. Under conditions of limited asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase activity in the mutant, there is a 2- to 3-fold increase in the level of asparagine synthetase activity. Under identical conditions, there is no change in asparagine synthetase activity in the wild type. This correlation between asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase activity and asparagine synthetase levels may be a consequence of a direct role of tRNAAsn in the regulation of the in vivo expression of the asparagine synthetase structural gene.